Jose Mourinho 'Zlatan will be here next season'

Jose Mourinho has insisted Zlatan Ibrahimovic and all other parties involved want to extend his contract at Old Trafford.

The Swedish striker has been in top form since joining the club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, and grabbed a goal and two assists against Sunderland in a 3-1 win.

At 35, the player signed a one-year deal with the Red Devils, with the option of another season, and it now seems as though this will be activated in the coming weeks.

Mourinho said: "For him to decide to come to a club with the level of expectation of Manchester United and the most difficult league in the world for a striker, it is because he knows that he can do it.

"So when we contacted him and he said, 'Yes, I want', I was sure that he was not coming here to leave the Premier League without proving [his worth], leaving the Premier League failing at Manchester United. No way.

"When such a guy decides to come, I was completely clear that he would be ready and he is ready for more next season. He will be here again."

Asked if the one-year extension clause beyond Ibrahimovic's initial one-season has been activated, Mourinho said: "Not yet, but it is activated in his brain and it is activated also in my decisions, the owners and the board's, so no problem."